Tobias Sylvester
Katsina State Government has announced the release of over 300 students who were abducted from Government Science Secondary School in Kankara.
KanyiDaily had reported how hundreds of GSS boading schoolboys were abducted by gunmen on Friday night, December 11, 2020, less than 24 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari arrived Katsina for a week long private visit.
Speaking with BBC Hausa on Thursday night, the Secretary to Katsina Government, Mustapha Inuwa, confirmed that about 340 students have been released after six day in the kidnappers’ den.
According to him, the schoolboys are on their way to Katsina city and are expected to arrive there close to midnight. President Buhari would receive the schoolboys at the government house tomorrow.
Meanwhile, President Buhari has expressed joy following the release of the abducted schoolboys, according to a tweet by his Senior Special Assistant on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie.
“Mr. President receives the joyful and delightful news of the release of the students of Kankara School,” Onochie stated via her twitter handle, @Laurestar.
Mr. President receives the joyful and delightful news of the release of the students of Kankara School. pic.twitter.com/AP0Mx5aBPR
— Lauretta Onochie (@Laurestar) December 17, 2020
A media aide to the President, Garba Shehu, also conveyed Buhari’s reaction via a tweet.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has welcomed the release of the kidnapped students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State, describing their safe return as a big relief to their families, the country and the international community,” the tweet read.
President Muhammadu Buhari has welcomed release of kidnapped students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State, describing their safe return as a big relief to their families, the entire country and international community.
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) December 17, 2020
The release is coming just a few hours after Boko Haram released a video which confirmed that it was responsible for the abduction of the over 300 Kankara students.
Boko Haram had on Tuesday claimed responsibility for the abduction, saying the action was carried out to ‘promote Islam and discourage un-Islamic practices’.
However, Katsina Governor, Aminu Masari insisted that the missing students were abducted by local bandits known to them, contrary to the claim of Boko Haram.
Governor Masari further revealed that his administration is discussing with the suspected abductors through the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).
